Comments on: History of Hargate Hall

By: Lynne Hadfield

Lynne Hadfield — Thu, 24 Nov 2022 18:01:37 +0000

My late mother in law (Joan Hadfield nee Walker) was born and grew up in nearby Tunstead. She used to recall attending dances held at Hargate Hall for the convalescing soldiers during the war.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Mon, 21 Sep 2020 22:33:10 +0000

My grandfather was also from Stockport (Ernest Jones) and was in a children’s convalescent home in Wormhill….he was suffering from Typhoid.

He was in one of the farms and delivered milk and papers.l around the village.

I took him back before he died to have a coffee with some friends from Wormhill on one of the farms and he enjoyed it very much.

By: Gareth Watson

Gareth Watson — Sat, 10 Feb 2018 16:38:48 +0000

My father, Ray Watson, who’s now 92 was at Hargate Hall for 6 months towards the end of 1943 when he was in the army convalescing from an injury sustained a few weeks after he joined up. He was doing is basic training in Chesterfield and had been assigned fatigues, peeling potatoes, with other men when the knife of the man next to him slipped and badly cut my father’s right hand. After surgery he was sent to Hargate Hall to regain the use of his hand. He says it was Red Cross-run and there was a uniform for injured soldiers of a blue suit with a white shirt and a red tie. He did activities like basket weaving and bowls to get his hand back to use. He doesn’t remember injured RAF man being there but it’s possible. There were a mix of men from different units, some with battlefield injuries. He didn’t stay in the Hall itself but in huts in the grounds. When his hand had recovered he completed his basic training and went on to serve as a Smoke Screen operator and later a Prisoner of War Camp guard.

By: Hargatehall

Hargatehall — Wed, 08 Mar 2017 20:06:22 +0000

In reply to Jenny Brown.

Hello. I know that Hargate Hall was used by the red cross during the 2nd word war, and that injured RAF pilots were cared for here. Beyond that, I have not found out much. The Red Cross archives that would have covered Hargate use, were destroyed in fire in the 60’s / 70’s I believe. It is certainly feasible that children were also looked after here, but I have not seen anything to that effect. Also Wormhill did have at least 2 blacksmiths in the 1940’s and there is still one today.
If I find out any more I will post it here. In the meant time good luck with your searches.

By: Jenny Brown

Jenny Brown — Mon, 06 Mar 2017 20:27:37 +0000

I am currently trying to help my Father in law. He believes that he stayed in a convalescent home for children during 1940/1941in Wormhill. He accompanied his sister from their home in Stockport. He remembers there being about 20 children and him walking to a blacksmith. He believes the building was used in the war for RAF pilots who had been badly burnt. My searches have led me to Hargate Hall although nothing specifically about children staying there. We’d appreciate any pointers. Thank you.

By: Hargatehall

Hargatehall — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 19:04:44 +0000

In reply to Keith Hall. Hi Keith, sorry for teh delay in approving this comment. I will add it to our facebook page to see if anyone can comment further on it.

By: Keith Hall

Keith Hall — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 20:10:34 +0000

Following on with the history of Hargate Hall, my grandfather and grandmother, Alfred and Johanna Thompson, both lived and worked at the hall from the early 1940s, My Grandfather as gardener, and my grandmother as chambermaid, they lived in the lodge, along with my mother, Mary Thompson. My Grandparents met and married in Kilkenny Ireland, moving to Sheffield, and then to Wormhill, my grandfather also worked as a gardener at Chatsworth.

My grandfather was a friend of Tommy Taboon, the used to drink together at the Bagshaw Arms in Wormhill.

My mother married my father, Joseph Hall, at Wormhill Church, and they were living at the hall with my grandparents in 1946.

My mothers sister, Ivy thompson, died at the age of 29, and was buried at Wormhill Church, that year.

I am presently researching my family tree, i would be grateful if anyone has any further information.

By: Cheryl Othen Lucas

Cheryl Othen Lucas — Thu, 06 Feb 2014 15:15:10 +0000

I can confirm that Robert Evans was Head Gardener at Hargate Hall and that he lived in The Lodge according to the 1911 Census.

In 1901 he was working as a gardener possibly for Lord Hartington heir to the Duke of Devonshire

He and his wife Martha [ known as Patty -a sweet woman] were so highly regarded by the owner [ Robert Whitehead?] that he gave them a house on the estate to live in during their retirement. They died in 1941 within 3 days of each other.

They had two daughters Clara [1890-1975] who was a Nurse in WW1 and decorated for her service. She emigrated to Pennsylvania and Annie Maria Evans. There is no mention of any sons

Robert Evans was my great uncle.

By: Hargatehall

Hargatehall — Sat, 26 May 2012 08:26:53 +0000

In a follow up email Mr Cole mentioned that a man with the surname Teboon served at the same time. The name Teboon was common in the area in 1922 ;there might still be some of them around today